Welcome to Gaia! ::

(( This ORP is open to those of the Trainee and Grunt status only. This is a sort of training mission, for trainees and grunts that need more field experience. Feel free to join in at any point in the RP unless stated otherwise. Even if you arrive late, your character doesn't have to and it can be said they were there the entire time. ))

In the dimly lit garage of the TRHQ, a tall figure waited beside three jeeps that were colored in camoflauge. A clipboard was held in one hand as grunts and trainees started to file in to report for duty.

"Single file line!" Seth barked as they started to appear. "State your name and rank."

The elite was irritable and not in the mood for any misbehaving. Thanks to recent mishaps, he'd been pretty much base bound with the exception of training missions like these. At his side sat a shiny Luxray, with a spiked collar around his neck. The electric Pokemon seemed to mirror its trainer's foul mood as red eyes glanced between the incoming Rockets.

Aila was not a trainer. She had never been a trainer, and she had no distinct desire to become a trainer. She needed only obedience, but she was having difficulty soliciting even that much from her Misdreavus. Add to that she was not a strong battler to being with and it seemed she had a strong case in support of paying the closest attention to the class she had been summoned to attend.

Even if she had not been compelled as a trainee to attend and even if she did not require assistance with Revenant, she felt she would likely be there anyway. She was interested in what kind of class Seth would hold, and she was curious about what sorts of words and advice the elite would have to share.

She fell into line and stood at attention, waiting as the others around her gave the information asked of them until it was her turn to give her own, "Aila, trainee."

Aila noted the Luxray, the same she had faced on first meeting Seth. She had not fared too poorly against it... had she? It wasn't exactly a win, if she recalled correctly, but she had at least rendered it momentarily incapacitated, and she could not help but feel a sliver of pride at the thought.

It was a fairly small group Seth noted as the various grunts and trainees lined up and stated their names and ranks. The elite silently checked off the names on the list until finally all were present and accounted for.

The elite managed a stoic expression and flat toned voice as he then addressed the group before him.

"This is a training exercise, in which you will be engaging Pokemon trainers on Route 245." That was the route between Lake Elemi and Sandalwood City in the Cypress Forest.

"The goal, naturally, is to steal a Pokemon. I will be watching and judging your performance. The forest offers plenty of cover and vantage points in which to take the trainers by surprise. Use whatever methods seem best for you. Once the mission is complete, we will spend the night at the Sandalwood outpost and arrive back at HQ tomorrow. Any questions?"

Naturally they had all been informed to bring a uniform and other basic needs for the overnight stay.

Stealing pokemon didn't sound nearly as interesting as stealing jewels, but she would do what was required of her. Judging by the nature of the mission as it was described, Fleur was the best bet. Fleur, however, was obedient. She understood the difference between work and play, and she behaved accordingly. Revenant was the trouble, and using a tool to which Aila was already accustomed would do nothing to accommodate her to the less comfortable one. She was, however, hesitant; what would she do should the Misdreavus fail to comprehend the gravity of the assignment?

She would consider that when the time came, though. Or perhaps in the car on the way there, as a means of distracting herself from being in a car. For the time being, she was looking forward to a visit to the Cypress Forest. Aila had never thought the outdoors could be such an enjoyable environment.

Blue eyes looked between each Rocket in turn and was met with silence from the group.

"No? Good. You will be able to keep one Pokemon from this exercise. If there is any surplus or you do not wish to keep one, they will go to the HQ's Pokemon storage."

The elite then indicated the three jeeps next to him. "We well be taking these vehicles. I will designate drivers and you will follow me to the predetermined location."

He then started barking out names, assigning them to vehicles along with the drivers. "Claire, Sam, and Aila, you're with me."

With that, Seth the stoic elite opened the door to the jeep next to him. Raion jumped inside before Seth climbed in himself.

Sam flashed a quick smile of greeting to Alia and Claire, before taking her place in the jeep and stowing her gear. She had a notion of where Lake Elemi was, somewhere off to the south of the HQ, and near Sandalwood, but had never actually ventured near there. Sure, lakes could be fun, but she'd rather have the motion of the ocean over a pond any day.

Figuring it best not to bother Seth while he drived (he didn't look like the type who would appreciate appropriate road trip music, such a pity), she attempted to strike up a conversation with her fellow underlings. The idea of a potentially long trip in silence terrified her. She got antsy at the very thought. 'Whatever methods necessary' was the key, and if she could pool resources, or gather information beforehand, that was even better.

"Either of you been out that way before? I haven't. Never saw much draw in visiting a giant tree house."

She remained how she stood while Seth listed off names for the Jeeps, in the last group that was called one of the names rang familiar to her, but she didn't spare more then a glance over to the familiar face of Aila, the young trainee she had met in the desert one nights while she was out, before heading over to the jeep she was instructed to.

Slipping off her bag to drop it onto the ground next to her seat, Faleen then climbed in, to get herself strapped in and ready to go.
Letting out a soft sigh, she leaned back into the seat with her hands folded on her lap, head turned to look out the window.

As soon as the three piled into the jeep, Seth started up the vehicle and soon there was a small caravan driving up and out of the garage.

The desert streaked by, a cloud of sand and dust being left in their wake as they headed in the southeast direction. Seth glanced at the rear view mirror to keep an eye on the grunts sitting behind him. Raion had dominated the front passenger's seat. The spiky electric type having made himself comfortable on the seat.

Eventually the desert sands faded into scrubland, and then grassland, with the trees of the Cypress forest starting to come into view.